a) a frame portion 52;

b) a body portion 54 extending from said frame portion;

c) a cartridge assembly 58 defining:

i) a proximal cartridge mounting portion 272 maintained in a distal end portion of said body portion; and

ii) a distal cartridge housing portion 270 moveably connected to said proximal cartridge mounting portion and having a tissue engaging surface thereon;

d) articulation means 422, 442 associated with said body portion for moving said distal cartridge housing portion relative to said proximal cartridge mounting portion;

e) an anvil member 56 having a fastener forming surface thereon, said anvil member mounted 248 relative to said cartridge housing portion of said cartridge assembly so as to be moveable between an open position wherein said fastener forming surface is spaced from said tissue engaging surface and a closed position wherein said fastener forming surface in is close cooperative alignment with said tissue engaging surface of said cartridge housing portion;

f) means 404 associated with said body portion for moving said anvil member between said open position and said closed position; and

g) means 286, 288 for ejecting said surgical fasteners from said cartridge housing portion of said cartridge assembly, whereby said fasteners form against said fastener forming surface of said anvil member.

h) a pneumatic system for ejecting said surgical fasteners.